Follow These Tips for a Successful End of Summer Cleanout
As we bid a fond farewell to the carefree days of summer, it’s time to prepare for the chilly fall days ahead. Even if you’ve already ” spring cleaned” your home this year, the transition from summer to fall is another perfect opportunity to get your home organized and clutter-free before the busy holiday season.
Follow our top tips to give your home a successful end of summer cleanout:
Tidy up and donate to Goodwill!
Swap out summer clothes
Once the temperatures begin to drop, you’ll need to sort through your summer clothes to make room for your winter wardrobe. Instead of packing all your summer clothes away in a storage bin until next year, take the time to go through each item one by one and decide what you really want to keep. Consider donating any unused or unwanted clothing and accessories to Ohio Valley Goodwill, where they’ll be resold in our retail stores to support our employment services and programs for individuals with disabilities.
Take stock of seasonal décor
As summer fades to fall, now is a great time to switch up your home’s interior décor! Take stock of your current decorations such as wreaths, tablecloths, candles, and flower arrangements. Are there decorations that you don’t plan to use in the upcoming season? Donate them to your local Ohio Valley Goodwill! Regularly clearing out unused or unwanted décor will help you keep your storage spaces clutter-free and create more room for new decorations.
Donate and Shop: Change a Life
Scrub and store outdoor furniture
Before you put your outdoor patio furniture away for the fall season, be sure to give each piece a gentle scrubbing with an all-purpose cleaner to remove dirt. Examine cushions for any rips or tears and make a note to replace them if they are beyond repair. To prevent rust, store furniture in your garage or shed. If you can’t bring the furniture indoors, invest in a water-resistant cover. If you’re looking to replace your patio furniture with new pieces come spring, remember that Ohio Valley Goodwill accepts donations of both outdoor and indoor furniture!
Un-junk the ” junk” drawers
Nearly every family has a ” junk” drawer where they store everyday items that don’t seem to have a permanent home: pens, pencils, scissors, notepads, spare keys, loose change, receipts, old bills and cards…the list goes on! If your junk drawer is constantly overflowing, it’s time to purge! Start by removing everything from the drawer””and we mean everything! Separate trash from treasures and create a system of organization. For example, pens and pencils can be stored in the drawer in a plastic baggie or held together with a rubber band. Spare change can go in a special designated change jar. When you give every item a ” home,” you can find them more easily and avoid rifling through a cluttered drawer.
Declutter the garage
Your garage is a source of valuable storage space, but it can also be a catch-all for clutter. It’s well worth it to dedicate a few hours on a weekend to organize and clean your garage. Start by removing everything from your garage and sorting through the items one by one. Divide them into three piles: Keep, Donate, and Toss. Remember, only throw away items that cannot be repurposed or recycled.
When you do this, you might be surprised to see how many items you don’t need or rarely use. Don’t let these unused items take up precious storage space in your garage any longer””donate them to Goodwill! We gladly accept donations of sporting goods, holiday décor, toys and bicycles, and even car donations for our Goodwill Auto Auction!
Goodwill Auto Auction Cars
When it’s time to clear out the clutter and get organized for the fall season, Ohio Valley Goodwill is the place to donate in Cincinnati. You can be confident that when you donate to Goodwill, your good deed benefits people living right here in your community. That’s because the proceeds from the sale of donated goods in Ohio Valley Goodwill’s retail stores help to support life-changing employment services and job training for individuals with disabilities and homeless veterans. Plus, by donating your goods instead of throwing them away, you’re supporting Goodwill’s efforts to divert waste from local landfills and reduce our environmental impact.
Donate for the Earth!
Through the simple act of decluttering your home, you’re making a big difference in YOUR community! Learn more about how to donate to Ohio Valley Goodwill and find your nearest donation center to get started today.
